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The Dragonair Aviation Certificate Programme (DACP), jointly organised by Dragonair and the Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps, enters its ninth year in 2014. An inaugural ceremony was held on 14 March to mark the launch of the latest programme, with the intake being expanded to 33 - the highest-ever number of participants – this year.

The DACP, an integral part of the Dragonair Youth Aviation Academy, offers local youth a solid platform to explore the world of aviation through training sessions and facility visits hosted by various Dragonair departments and aviation-related organisations in Hong Kong. All participants will enjoy a unique one-on-one mentorship guided by a Dragonair pilot mentor. They can participate in an observation flight, join a pre-flight briefing and, most exciting of all, get on board a Dragonair flight to observe their mentors at work.

Officiating at the inaugural ceremony were the event’s Guest of Honour, Director-General of Civil Aviation Norman Lo; Dragonair Chief Executive Officer Patrick Yeung; Dragonair General Manager Operations Captain Peter Sanderson; and Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps Commanding Officer Group Captain Lee Kwok-wing. Guests from supporting organisations, pilot mentors and programme alumni also joined in to celebrate the opening of the 2014 programme.

Mr Patrick Yeung kicked off the inaugural ceremony by highlighting the programme’s achievements. “This year we were delighted to receive more than 400 applications from the general public in addition to those from the Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps. The programme’s success relies on the great support of the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department, the Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps and all our aviation partners. It is exciting to see that 40% of DACP alumni have already begun a career in one of the various aviation disciplines,” Mr Yeung said.

Mr Norman Lo also congratulated the 33 participants on being invited into the programme after going through a stringent selection process. Given the encouraging passenger and cargo throughput statistics at Hong Kong International Airport last year, Mr Lo said he believed that aviation could provide exciting opportunities for participants in their future careers.

Commenting on the fact that more than 80 Dragonair pilot mentors have helped out in the programme so far, Captain Peter Sanderson said: “Our pilot mentors contribute to the uniqueness of the programme by providing personal guidance and inspiration and giving participants a real flying experience.”

Echoing Captain Sanderson, Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps Commanding Officer Group Captain Lee Kwok-wing brought the event to a close and encouraged the participants to get the most out of their participation in the DACP, which will enrich their experience in everything from basic aeronautical knowledge to hands-on flying experience.

This year’s 33 DACP participants come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Programme participant Stephen Fu made a big commitment to leave his job at a bank and join the programme in pursuit of his dreams. “I know that nine-to-five office lifestyle doesn’t work for me and I believe I belong in the sky! My dream is to pursue a career in the aviation industry and I know I am on the right track now,” he said.
The programme’s success relies on continued support from various aviation-related organisations, including: Airport Authority Hong Kong, Aviation Security Company Limited, the Civil Aviation Department, the Fire Services Department, the Government Flying Service, Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited, Hong Kong Aero Engine Services Limited, Hong Kong Airport Services Limited, LSG Lufthansa Service Hong Kong Limited, the Hong Kong Police Force, the Hong Kong Observatory, and TAG Aviation Asia Limited. All these organisations have shown they are ready and willing to help nurture the next generation in Hong Kong’s aviation industry.

More information on the Dragonair Aviation Certificate Programme and other activities in the Dragonair Youth Aviation Academy can be found at www.dragonair.com/aviationacademy.

Dragonair, an affiliate member of oneworld, is a Hong Kong-based airline operating a fleet of 41 passenger aircraft and serving 47 regional destinations, including 22 cities in Mainland China. Dragonair has been recognised for its product and service quality, and has been named “Best Regional Airline” at the TTG Travel Awards for four consecutive years since 2010, and voted "World's Best Regional Airline" in the annual Skytrax World Airline Awards™ in 2010, 2011 and 2013. Dragonair is part of the Cathay Pacific Group, providing seamless connectivity for passengers to more than 180 cities around the globe.